The Utah Science Technology and Research initiative at the University of Utah

Bringing innovation to Utah

More than 180 Utah companies were founded on University of Utah technologies over the past twenty years, and over 120 are prospering in Utah, including major employers like Myriad Genetics, Cephalon, ARUP, TheraTech (acquired by Watson Laboratories), Sarcos, Idaho Technology and Evans & Sutherland.

This history of success is evidence the University of Utah can successfully commercialize technologies that create new businesses and jobs that strengthen Utah’s economy. The objective of USTAR is to bolster Utah’s research strengths and significantly increase technology commercialization to create many more high caliber jobs throughout the state.

In 2006, the Utah Legislature passed SB 75 with overwhelming support. SB 75 allocated $179 million to the USTAR Economic Development Initiative, $15 million in ongoing annual funding to support research teams at the University of Utah and Utah State University, $4 million to support economic outreach programs around the State and $160 million toward the construction of new research facilities at the University of Utah and Utah State.